The Business Travellers Guide to Edinburgh

“This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.”

Alexander McCall Smith

Although smaller than Glasgow in both population and size, Edinburgh still remains Scotland’s premier business travel hub. Consistently recognised as one of the most prosperous parts of the country and boasting the strongest economy of any city in the UK outside London, it is not difficult to see why this capital city continues to grow. With a host of world-class universities, Edinburgh attracts notable scholars, researchers and influential figures, and is making waves in the world of technology (Google eTown Awards recently recognised Edinburgh as the second most tech-savvy town in the UK).

Edinburgh Airport is the busiest in Scotland, each day welcoming an average of 28,000 passengers, many of whom are business people visiting the second-largest financial centre in the UK. When you delve into the rich history and culture of the capital, it is easy to see how Edinburgh has maintained the Scottish business travel crown. Whether you are on a flying visit or taking the time to relax in Edinburgh, follow our hand-crafted guide designed to showcase the very best of accommodation, dining and activity.

Where to Stay

The Glasshouse Hotel provides a 5-star haven of luxury and relaxation, all located conveniently in the centre of Edinburgh. This boutique hotel, built behind the 150 year old façade of Lady Glenorchy Church, boasts a two-acre rooftop garden where travellers can unwind in the serene surroundings set high above the financial district below, and it is walking distance of the Royal Mile.

Where to Dine

Since Edinburgh boasts the highest number of Michelin starred restaurants in the UK outside London, diners are spoiled for choice. For a traditional experience, the Balmoral Hotel’s Palm Courtoffers award-winning afternoon tea in genteel, ornate surroundings. For business travellers on a tight schedule, Paul Kitching’s fabulous 21212 Restaurantalso has luxury bedroomswhere you can retire for the evening straight after dinner. The menu, which offers intricate delicacies showcasing the best of French style cuisine, is updated weekly. For corporate events, the iconic Royal Yacht Britannia is available for exclusive dinners and evening entertainment set amongst the grandiose surroundings of Her Majesty The Queen’s former maritime residence.

Edinburgh is also the birthplace of philanthropic venture Social Bite. Providing delicious gourmet food-on-the-go created by the esteemed chef Mike Mathieson, 100% of profits go directly towards helping the homeless in Scotland, and is an official supported charity of The Scottish Business Awards 2015.

What to Do

A city of extraordinary variety, there is something in Edinburgh for even the most discerning visitor. For those looking to soak up some culture after a day of meetings, then there are a number of options available. After all, with the abundance of literary, arts & cultural festivals, it is no surprise that Edinburgh has been voted the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. The National Museum Late is a series of special events running until 22:30, offering music as well as the chance to discover the exhibitions after hours. Refuel at the Brew Lab coffee shop, which opened in 2012 after four years of intensive planning, offering innovative and exciting approaches to your espresso. For an unrivalled luxury shopping experience, Harvey Nichols is open until 7pm and is conveniently located in the city centre. For those looking to admire the capital from above, our chauffeurs can assist in transporting you to Arthur’s Seat to watch the sunset, or be chauffeured to the Scotch Malt Whisky Societyfor the Connoisseurs’ Collection Tour- an in depth tour of the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky.

Little’s Chauffeur Services within Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport has over 40 airlines serving 33 countries worldwide, and offers regular flights to all major UK cities. Centrally located, Little’s chauffeurs are highly knowledgeable of the Scottish road network, and can seamlessly transport you from one city to the next. For onward travel, be it to the next city or home, Little’s can arrange airport transfers in any city worldwide. To find out more about our global coverage, here is a list of our cities.

From Selkies and Kelpies to The Loch Ness Monster, Unicorns and The legend of Sawney Bean, Scotland is rife with tales of myth and legend. Whether your chauffeur driven car takes you to Loch Coruisk to go kelpie-spotting, to Loch Ness to try your chances of capturing a glimpse of the water beast ‘Nessie’ underneath the surface of the murky loch; or to the capital city of Edinburgh for a tour of the haunted, underground vaults – let your Little’s chauffeur guide help you to discover any of Scotland’s famous myths and legends.

Tartan, the symbol of the clan, is best described by the Gaelic word breacan, meaning chequered. Tartan is synonymous with the symbol of clan kinship and each clan has their own individual version. Do you have connections to Scotland? Let us help you discover which clan you originate from and what tartan your clan associates with. Whether it’s taking you to The Clan Tartan Centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh to see a kilt being made, or transporting you to visit the Lochcarron Weavers shop in the Highlands for a truly exceptional tartan experience, let us build a custom-built itinerary especially for you.

From scallops to salmon, langoustine to lobster and from crab to cod, Scotland’s lochs, seas and rivers are swimming with an abundance of fresh seafood – enticing tourists and locals alike. Touring the length and breadth of Scotland with your chauffeur gives you the complete freedom to customise the tour to individual seafood preferences. Whether that’s delighting in the fresh, smoked salmon at The Luss Seafood Bar in Loch Lomond – just a short half an hour drive from Glasgow city centre, or a bespoke tour of the seafood restaurants along Route NC 500, contact us today with your ideas or let us customise an amazing experience for you.